🔖 BLOG TOUR 🔖 The Empress by Michelle Heard {REVIEW}

The Empress by Michelle Heard

Release Date: August 4, 2025

Series: Mafia Empire #4

Genres: Romance, Mafia

From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Michelle Heard comes a new STANDALONE, full-length MAFIA ROMANCE novel.

While visiting family in Italy with my mother, I come face-to-face with Leo Toscano. The head of the Italian mafia, and my worst nightmare.

Let’s get one thing straight. I didn’t know the mafia was a thing until the ruthless man threatens to wipe out my family unless I marry him. 

Not having much of a choice, I reluctantly say ‘I do’, and tie myself to the heartless bastard for life.

Turns out he doesn’t want anything to do with me, and I quickly learn the definition of loneliness.

But then secrets begin to come to light, and everything I thought I knew about my life turns out to be a lie.
Now the big, bad mafia boss is the one begging.
How the tables have turned.

STANDALONE: A Mafia Romance full-length novel.
Each book in the Mafia Empire series is interconnected, but about a different couple who will all find their HEA.

Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon CA

My Review:

Heard delivers a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance in The Empress. As the fourth book in the Mafia Empire Series, this dark romance will transport you to the heart of Italy, leaving you wanting for more!

What started as an Italian vacation in order to meet her extended family, it quickly turned into something a lot more dangerous for Haven Romano. Little does she realize that her normal life was about to change forever the minute she meets Leo Toscano. The mysterious and handsome stranger who unexpectedly shows up at her uncle’s home ready to bring down the Romano family if she doesn’t marry him. Without given a choice to leave with her mom, Haven gets taken only to learn that Leo is the head of the Italian mafia and he is not about to let her go willingly. Haven has no choice but to marry him in order to save her mom and the rest of her family. Yet, no one could have prepared her for the loneliness she was about to experience at the care of someone who is supposed to be her husband. It doesn’t help that she is having the same nightmares she experienced as a child. She is willing to do anything in order to get Leo to let her go before it’s too late.

For Leo Romano his life changed seventeen years ago, after those that he cared about the most got taken from him. Now he has made it his mission to avenge their death by taking down the Romano family once and for all. Not realizing that he would meet Haven Romano in the process and that it would ultimately change the course of their lives. There is something about her that he can’t deny, a pull that keeps bringing them together no matter how hard he fights it. Leo never intended to marry or tie himself to the Romano family, but he wants Haven more than anything. He is going to make her his, even if he has to take her away from her family. He failed someone once and he is not about to do the same with his wife. He vows to protect her and earn her love with time.

I absolutely loved reading The Empress, Haven is a fellow bookworm who coincidentally loves a good mafia romance. Not realizing that her life was going to mirror the books that she has read in the past. Although there is an attraction between Haven and Leo at the beginning, their relationship is rocky as they get to know each other. At first, Haven’s mission is to convince Leo to let her go. Leo doesn’t know why he feels so strongly for Haven, until the past comes to catch up with them that he finally gets the answers he’s been looking for a very long time. All in all, I would highly recommend checking out this book and the rest of the series. You will not regret it! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

My Rating: 4.5/5

About Michelle Heard:

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

Connect w/Michelle:

Website, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, TikTok, Newsletter Signup

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